The paper quoted an unnamed U.S. military source as saying Jenkins, 64, may have acted as an interpreter during North Korean questioning of U.S. servicemen, translated records of interrogations and relevant documents, and cooperated in investigating the structure of the ship.

The Pueblo and its crew were seized Jan. 23, 1968. North Korea later cracked intelligence codes, dealing a blow to U.S. espionage activities, the paper said.

While prospects are growing that Jenkins, the husband of former abductee Hitomi Soga, may meet a U.S. military lawyer and seek a plea bargain, his alleged involvement in this incident could complicate the situation, the paper said.

The U.S. military has charged Jenkins with desertion, aiding the enemy, encouraging disloyalty and soliciting other service members to desert.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 7, 2004
(C) All rights reserved